Logan Martin Lake Topics: Future winter levels
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Name:
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Arnold
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Subject:
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Future winter levels
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Date:
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2/24/2008 12:03:38 PM
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I’ll let Osms give you the Martin HOBO perspective and actions they’ve taken on this issue.
Here’s my 2-sense worth: There is a chance, BUT. Near-term risks loom larger in decision makers’ eyes that longer term benefits. The crux of this issue now is drought risk versus flood risk and the cost$ Alabama Power is willing to bear. They get sued for flood damage, not drought damage.
So, for now, flood risk trumps drought risk--and measures to reduce such risk like raising the winter pool level in Martin like they did with the variance this year. Last summer APCo indicated that they planned to keep the winter pool at 483 (God willing) during the interim relicensing phase between now and 2013. This would allow them, State, federal agencies, and the Army Corps of Engineers to thoroughly study the risk$ and benefit$ resulting from a permanent change. However, 2 weeks ago, Jim Crew heading the relicensing effort for APCo indicated that APCo had recently completed a flood analysis and presented the findings to FERC. Based on that study FERC directed that the winter pool could not be raised to 483 for relicensing study purposes.
Also, another impediment to an interim change to the winter pool level is the apparent never-ending inter-state water war. Earlier efforts to raise Martin’s winter pool level were rebuffed because changes to Alabama’s reservoir storage capacity would, in effect, weaken the State’s negotiating position for demanding more water from GA during drought conditions. All the models, data, and impact studies entered into evidence were and remain predicated on the current rule curve for Martin. Is there a chance to change it? Maybe. More folks joining and supporting the HOBO effort may make the difference.
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